Help please - trailer/towing info

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madmax1

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I am thinking about buying a 4x4 and trailer (I know I will need to take a test)

I am thinking of buying a Daihatsu Fourtrak and maybe a Ifor Williams 510.

I have read the Fourtrak will tow 3500kg.

The IW 510 has a Trailer unladen weight of 1,000kg
Maximum authorised weight of 2,584kg

It would be nice to take both my horses together,

17hh Cob x aprox 750kg
15.1hh Appaloosa aprox 600kg

If I assume the horses together weight 1500kg (Better to be over than under, lol) then the horses plus the unladen weight of 1000kg is just under the maximum authorised trailer weight.

I assume if I carry, feed, tack, water etc in the 4x4 I would be ok to use this combination of 4x4 and trailer?

I really do not have a clue and will be doing alot of research and have towing lessons before I buy.

Could anyone offer any advice on this subject, esp my choice of 4x4 and trailer.

Many thanks
 
Weve had 2 fourtraks and they were fantastic, much better than the shogun we have now. The fourtraks prior to 94 (I think) were on leaf springs and are a bit bouncy. We had a G reg and a s reg and the difference is massive. The newer being much better to drive.
Not 100% sure about trailer max weight issue but reading your post I think you are spot on and it will be fine.
 
You'll be fine with a fourtrack. We had one for years and towed a 16hh irish draft and a 15hh section D in a 505, plus all assorted tack for a weeks holiday all over the country with no problem.
 
You'll be fine. Shove heavy stuff in your car and off you go. You won't find anything which will tow more than a fourtrac :)

You could get a lighter trailer if you're worried about weight. Ifors are quite heavy!
 
Good choice of car, good choice of trailer. Your weights should be absolutely fine, but you are doing the right think in finding out for sure. I reckon you are overestimating the horses a wee bit, especially the wee one. Best way to know for sure is to take your trailer to a public weigh bridge empty, then with both the horses in it and you'll know for certain what they weigh and how much you have to play with.
 
Not sure about the legal side of it (which you seem to be researching for yourself!) but I've been towing my 510 with two horses with my R reg Fourtrak for years, and it's absolutely brilliant! It's also great in the current snowy weather, as it seems to get through almost anything. However, just to warn you that (like many other heavy 4x4s) it is not good on ice, last christmas I managed to lose it on a steep down hill and spun it round three times, luckily people, dog and vehicle fine but it certainly taught me that even in a 4x4 you are not invincible!
 
Thank you for your comments, I was worried I would not find a 4x4 and trailer to pull both horses as the big one is a little heavy.

I will start looking around.

Other than the Ifor Williams anyone know of another make that would carry a large horse and a medium horse?

thanks
 
Bateson - I have the Deaville which will carry 2 x 17 and it is great. My only "wish" is now that I had paid the extra for the Ascot - same trailer but has an external tack locker. The Deaville has saddle rack inside which my wretched horse can reach and chew!. Bought the Ascot as it had a better suspension at the time, preferred unloading on the left hand side and has a "window" at the front so I can see my horse when travelling and he can see forward -plus makes it lighter inside.

However, the new 511 now allow you to choose which side you want the ramp and you can also choose to have the window in front. You do also want a trailer which comes with the mirror over the towing gear to help you when reversing to hitch up. Unless you have a helper, no mirror makes it a LOT harder to hitch up! Be warned that people on here who bought the 511 had niggles with it which, as the 510 had such a great reputation must have been very annoying.
 
madmax1 said:
Thank you for your comments, I was worried I would not find a 4x4 and trailer to pull both horses as the big one is a little heavy.

I will start looking around.

Other than the Ifor Williams anyone know of another make that would carry a large horse and a medium horse?

thanks
Click to expand...
there is the batson ascot, nice trailers but a bit more than an ifor..
 
madmax1 said:
Thank you for your comments, I was worried I would not find a 4x4 and trailer to pull both horses as the big one is a little heavy.

I will start looking around.

Other than the Ifor Williams anyone know of another make that would carry a large horse and a medium horse?

thanks
Click to expand...

Richardson supreme's I love mine and you hardly ever hear a bad word about them. I have the 2x17.2 version which offers slightly more width and height than the ifor 510, I've had a 17.1 giraffe tb and a 15.2 in mine with no worries. Plenty of room. The unladen weight is slightly less than the 510 too, and whats more... get this there a handle on the inside of the grooms door!! You can actually open it from the inside!!! lol! Also the front ramp opens on the correct side for the UK.
 
Be very careful if you think about getting a 511 & certainly do your research before you buy. The 510s are absolutely brilliant but they are hard to get hold of now.

I have just got rid of my 511 after 2 years as I got fed up with the problems with it. I traded it in & the dealer told me if it had been the last 510 model I would have got £500 more on the trade in !!!
 
perfect11s said:
Wow so a better trailer is less!!!!, got a great price for mine when I sold it, They are the best well made and easy to tow and the built in tack locker is good....
Click to expand...

PLEASE stop rubbing it in!!

Can't tell you how much I regret not buying that.. to the extent that I am thinking of selling my Ascot and buying a Deaville! particularly as the back of my jeep has the dog crate in it..
 
Thank you for all your advice, I will look into these other makes.

Glad to know there are trailers out there to take a big and medium horse together.

Many thanks

x
 
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